Business Groups Urge Biden Administration to Support Domestic Energy Production, Act on Stalled Offshore Leasing Program
202.682.8114 | press@api.org
WASHINGTON, June 6, 2022 – The American Petroleum Institute, the Consumer Energy Alliance, the Louisiana Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association, the National Ocean Industries Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today joined with more than 80 trade groups representing a diverse cross section of industries in calling on the Biden administration to act on policies that support U.S. energy security and increase domestic production of natural gas and oil. In a letter to President Biden, the signatories urged the administration to implement a new 5-year program for federal offshore leasing as soon as possible.
“For the U.S. to continue to be an energy leader into the future, smart and effective energy policies are needed today. However, your administration’s policies have often hindered domestic producers’ ability to deliver on this growing demand. Oil and natural gas leasing on Federal lands and waters has essentially stopped, despite court orders, and while DOI has taken steps to complete and implement the next 5-year Program, there will be an unprecedented gap between the current and next 5-year Program,” the letter states.
The letter follows testimony from Secretary Haaland last month, during which the Secretary confirmed that the Department of Interior (DOI) is far behind in the process of developing and implementing a 5-year program and will not have a new plan in place by the time the current program expires on July 1. Offshore production in the Gulf of Mexico currently represents over 15% of natural gas and oil production and is among the lowest carbon-intensive production in the world. Without a 5-year program in place, no new offshore lease sales can be held, leaving future domestic production in jeopardy.
“We are at a critical time where a lack of federal action and regulatory uncertainty may discourage companies from making the multi-billion-dollar investments needed to develop offshore resources in the U.S. and ensure the long-term viability of a lower-carbon national strategic asset,” the letter states. “If the door closes to new U.S. production, investment dollars will instead flow abroad to more active basins to the detriment of American workers, energy consumers, and the environment.”
The letter outlines the following actions that the administration can take to avoid further economic impact and help ensure accessible, affordable, and reliable energy here in the United States:
- Execute the laws that mandate the DOI complete a long-term offshore leasing program with robust lease sales to avoid unnecessary production and development disruption. This requires the prompt completion of the steps necessary to finalize the OCS Leasing Program for 2022-2027. The expected delay will harm American investment, production, and jobs. The delays are already having an impact on investment and jobs throughout the supply chain.
- Provide certainty on oil and natural gas leasing by compelling the DOI to meet deadlines and honor its obligation to lease on federal lands and waters.
Signatories of the letter include:
- American Petroleum Institute
- Consumer Energy Alliance
- Louisiana Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association
- National Ocean Industries Association
- US Chamber of Commerce, Global Energy Institute
- American Chemistry Council
- American Exploration & Production Council
- American Trucking Association
- EnerGeo Alliance
- Energy Marketers of America
- Energy Workforce & Technology Council
- Independent Petroleum Association of America
- International Association of Drilling Contractors
- National Association of Manufacturers
- Offshore Operators Committee
- US Oil & Gas Association
- API Colorado
- API Gulf Coast Region
- API Illinois
- API Midwest Region
- API Northeast Region
- API Ohio
- API Pennsylvania
- API Southeast Region
- Arkansas Oil Marketers Association
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Pennsylvania
- Associated Builders and Contractors of West Virginia
- Associated Industries of Florida
- Associated Pennsylvania Constructors
- Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey
- Chemical Industry Council of Illinois
- Coalbed Methane Association of Alabama
- Colorado Business Roundtable
- Consumer Energy Alliance, Alaska
- Consumer Energy Alliance, Florida
- Consumer Energy Alliance, Gulf Coast
- Consumer Energy Alliance, Mid-Atlantic
- Consumer Energy Alliance, Midwest
- Consumer Energy Alliance, Northeast
- Consumer Energy Alliance, Rockies
- Florida Forestry Association
- Florida Independent Petroleum Producers Association
- Florida Natural Gas Association
- Florida Petroleum Marketers Association
- Florida Propane Gas Association
- Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
- Florida Retail Federation
- Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Florida Tax Watch
- Florida Transportation Builders Association
- Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia
- Greater Lafourche Port Commission
- Gulf Economic Survival Team
- Illinois Manufacturers’ Association
- James Madison Institute
- Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
- Louisiana Oil and Gas Association
- Manufacture Alabama
- Manufacturer & Business Association
- Marcellus Shale Coalition
- Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River & Bay
- Michigan Petroleum Association
- New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
- New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience Store, Automotive Association
- Ohio Chamber of Commerce
- Pelican Institute for Public Policy
- Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association
- Pennsylvania Builders Association
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
- Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
- Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association
- Pennsylvania Grade Crude Oil Coalition
- Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association
- Pennsylvania Independent Petroleum Producers
- Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association
- Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association
- Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
- Pennsylvania Septage Management Association
- Pennsylvania State Grange
- Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama
- Texas Oil & Gas Association
- West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
- West Virginia Manufacturers Association
- Western Energy Alliance
- Western States Petroleum Association
- Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce
- Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce
Click here to view the letter.
API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our nearly 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.
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